The Scientific Instrument Society (SIS) was formed in April 1983 to bring together people with a specialist interest in scientific instruments, ranging from precious antiques to electronic devices only recently out of production.

Collectors, the antiques trade, museum staff, professional historians and amateur enthusiasts will all find the varied activities of the Society suited to their tastes. We have a truly international membership offering those who join the chance to link up with instrument devotees across the world.

25th Anniversary Members' Special Loan Exhibition

SIS 25 IS NOW OPEN: To celebrate our 25th anniversary there is an exhibition of Members' own instruments being held at the Museum of the History of Science, Oxford. It opened on 19 August and runs to 26 October 2008.

SIS 25 uses three exhibition cases in the entrance gallery and the remainder of the objects have been placed within the permanent displays throughout the Museum. The message is that serious collecting can complement and enhance museum work and display. Our novel approach has created a unique event in the world of scientific instruments.

Back in March of this year Members were invited to submit suggestions for exhibits and were encouraged to provide text for special labels. In emphasising the role of the collector, we felt it would be particularly appropriate to communicate the personal significance and the story of each instrument. Contributions did not need not be exclusively instrumental, and associated material such as ephemera was to be very welcome: the more broad-ranging the better. How did we do? Visit the exhibition to find out!

To find out more about SIS 25 please see the details on the MHS website.

25th Anniversary AGM and Weekend of Lectures 4-5 July 2008

To mark the Silver Jubilee of the Society this year's annual general meeting and lecture programme were spread over two days, a Friday and a Saturday. The first day, held as a joint event with the Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers, concentrated on the theme of the City of London Livery Companies through three keynote lectures and a museum visit. Remember that reports and photographs of all of the Society's events are now placed on this website. See the programme page for more details.

The photograph shows the outgoing Chairman, Ron Bristow with the pewter quaiffe presented to the Society by the WCSIM on the occasion. Shortly afterwards Patrick Mill was elected the new Chairman of the Society whilst Paolo Brenni's term of office as President was extended, to the great satisfaction of everyone present.

The day before the Society had presented the Worshipful Company with a copy of Gloria Clifton's Directory of Scientific Instrument Makers, a book the publication of which was originally supported by the Society.

For any enquiries relating to the weekend please contact Peter de Clercq via the Executive Officer,

East Anglian Conference 3-4 October 2008

Advance notice is offered of the Society's Autumn provincial conference to be held this year in Eastern England between Friday 3rd October and Saturday 4th October.

For details of the provisional programme, to include Norwich, Fakenham and Spalding, see the programme page.

There was a flyer in the June Bulletin to invite responses, gauging the level of interest. The final programme and booking form were sent to respondents in the first week of August. This included hotel arrangements. For any other enquiries relating to the conference please contact Peter de Clercq via the Executive Officer,

Promoting the Society is a Piece of Cake!

Visitors to the 44th Scientific Instrument Fair found it a sweeter tasting event than they might have expected, but fortunately no one bit off more than he or she could chew. We cut a celebratory cake to mark our 25th anniversary. Whether you wanted a small piece or a large piece we cut it with scientific precision, and everyone agreed that it went down well. Indeed, when our Chairman said 'Let them eat cake' far from provoking revolution it proved a most popular remark with the assembled mob. This first picture shows a detail of the cake. To see it in its full glory, complete with printed images of scientific instruments, click on the thumbnail and a larger picture will magically appear.

The second picture shows our committee member (and chief procurer of cakes) Marcus Cavalier keeping an eye on our book sales. Note the plush new Society banner that also enjoyed its first airing at this event.
 

All the Fun of the Fair

Come and visit the SIS stand at the Scientific, Early Technology and Medical Instruments Fair held twice a year in London. This fair was founded by SIS member Peter Delehar and is now run by our member Matthew Nunn. At our stand you can meet committee members, join the SIS, purchase a Society tie/badge or Society publications including available back numbers of the Bulletin.

The 45th International Antique Scientific & Medical Instrument Fair will be held on Sunday 2nd November 2008, 10am-3pm, at the Thistle Marble Arch hotel.

For more details keep an eye on our Dealers Page where the information will be updated as soon as we have it.

President's Badge

In March 2007 the Society was delighted to unveil the new President's badge. Designed to be handed on as a distinguished mark of office the badge was presented to its first custodian, Paolo Brenni, during the Society's conference in Florence. The badge is gold plate on silver with a plain reverse and a blue collar. It was commissioned from the distinguished medal makers Thomas Fattorini of Birmingham. The company was founded in 1827 by Antonio Fattorini, an Italian-speaking immigrant who settled in Yorkshire where he established a number of retail outlets specialising in jewellery, watches and fancy goods including barometers. In the late 19th century the company established a badges, medals and insignia factory in Birmingham. The present works has been operational since 1927.

Click here to see a picture of Paolo resplendent in his new regalia